Rodenhiser explains how to keep you and your home warm during the cold temps

HOLLISTON, Mass. - Jan. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- With the temperature reaching the negatives, the last thing you want is your furnace to fail, but it can happen. If your heat does go out in these dangerously cold temperatures, the first thing you should do is call a professional. However, there are some things you can do to conserve the heat you have left in your home and protect your pipes while you wait for help to arrive.

Here are some tips from Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning owner Andy Rodenhiser:

1. Open up vanities and cabinets over pipes to prevent pipes from getting too cold or place an electric heater or fireplace near unprotected pipes to keep them from freezing.

2. Keep doors and windows closed

3. Limit exiting and entering of house

4. Utilize an electric heater or fireplace if available

5. Avoid band-aid fixes with old systems where replacement is inevitable. Furnace repairs can range from couple hundred dollars to a thousand. With Mass Save offering rebates to upgrade to energy efficient systems, and 7 yr 0% financing to applicable customers. A cost analysis should really be done to determine if the short term benefit outweighs the long term cost, especially if the band aid fix doesn't last through the winter and more repairs will be needed.

Remember time is crucial when dealing with home heating repairs. Minimizing the amount of time your house is below 50 degrees can save you from an even bigger and more costly repair as your home is less vulnerable for frozen pipes. If it is below 40 degrees repairs are crucial because your house will freeze. The longer your house is without the heat the greater the risk, when you are talking about lengths of time longer than 24 hours. In the cases where the unlucky event causes you to need a new furnace, Rodenhiser can install your furnace NEXT DAY so that you don't have to wait around in the cold.

For more information you can contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning at (508) 202-7540 or on the web at www.rodenhiser.com